Hair drier



R. K. BOYER May 31, 1949.

HAIR DRIER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 10, 1947 INVENTOR.v PFILPH K Boyle-R BY {74 g 7km XM HTTOR/VEYJ R. K. BOYER May 31, 1949.

HAIR DRIER 3 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed July 10, 1947 JNVENTOR. PHLPH K BUYER F) T TORNEYJ y 1949. R. K. BOYER 2,471,405

HAIR DRIER Filed July 10, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3- N A" Q A /f f H J wu w\ z a B r m a a L X T Q a,

w 8K5 x 3 (Q 3 5 if:

INVENTOR. RALPH K BUYER Patented May 31, 1 949 HAIR DRIER Ralph K. Boyer, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor t Designers for Industry, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application July 10, 1947, Serial No. 760,049

18 Claims.

This invention relates to hair drying apparatus and more particularly to driers of the type adapted to be fitted about the head of an individual for effecting drying of the hair after shampooing, setting, or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction for a hair drying apparatus, which has a power driven air impeller for circulating air about the head of an individual, whereby the impeller and driving means therefor may be easily and quickly removed as a unit from the remainder of the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved hair drier, which has a power driven air impeller for causin air to flow about the head of an individual, with improved means for directing the flowin air about and through the individuals hair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved hair drier, which has a power driven air impeller for causing air to flow about the head of an individual, with means whereby an adjustable amount of the flowing air may be recirculated within the drier and about the individuals head.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved hair drier, which has a power driven air impeller for causing air to flow about the head of an individual, with an adjustable damper whereby an adjustable amount of the air may be recirculated within the drier and about the individuals head.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved hair drier with an improved power driven air impeller which is so constructed as to produce both an axial and a radial movement of the air within the drier.

The invention further resides in certain novel features, details of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains from the following description of the present preferred embodiment thereof, described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters represent corresponding parts throughout several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional View, taken substantially vertically through the longitudinal axis of a hair drier constructed in accordance with this invention, with certain portions broken away and others shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the section line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the section line 33 of Fig. 1;

V Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken substantially on the section line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View corresponding to Fig. 1 but showing certain of the parts thereof in a different operative position;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 1, with certain parts broken away, and indicating the direction of air circulation within the drier when the adjustable damper thereof is in one position;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6 and illustrating the circulation of air within the drier when the damper thereof is in a difierent position; and,

Fig. 8 is a developed, elevational view of the inner shell or conduit of the drier, looking from the center line thereof outwardly and with the front edge of the conduit at the top of the figure, illustrating the air circulating openings therein and the positions of the air directing vanes attached thereto.

The hair drier illustrated in the drawings, as the present preferred embodiment of this invention, is of the pedestal type adapted to be positioned about the head of an individual to effect drying of the hair after shampooing, setting or like operations. This drier comprises an ogivally shaped head or shell, generally designated H], which is pivotally mounted on a conventional pedestal or bracket H. The head or shell of the drier forms a housing for the drier mechanism and is preferably composed of any relatively rigid thin material, such as sheet metal or the like, constructed in two pieces consisting of a forward portion l2 and a rear portion 13. The forward portion l2 of the shell is provided with one or more downwardly projecting ears Ila for receiving a pivot pin or bolt 14 which is fitted in a transversely extending bore adjacent the upper end of the pedestal or bracket 1 I.

The rear portion 13 of the shell is detachably connected with the forward portion [2 by one or more suitable securing means, generally designated IS, the abutting edges of the two portions of the shell preferably being rabbeted to facilitate alignment and provide a substantially air-tight joint. In the present embodiment the securing means are illustrated as being of the type commonly employed as latches upon luggage trunks. Three such latches or securing means are employed and each includes a substantially hook-shaped portion 16, welded or otherwise connected to the front portion [2 of the shell; and an operating handle I! pivotally mounted upon the rear portion l 3 of the shell and having a loop portion I8 adapted to be engaged about the hook-shaped portion 16. As will be readily understood, movement of the handles I! through an arc of approximately degrees, from the positions shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 7, will enable the loops l 8 to be released from the hookshaped portions I6 of the latches so that the rear portion I3 of the head or shell may be readily 3 removed from the forward portion 52 which remains supported by the pedestal ii.

Disposed within the rear portion I3 of the.

head or shell is an electric motor H! with its longitudinal axis substantially coinciding with the axis of the shell or head. The rear portion of the motor is supported by means of a centrally located hollow boss 20, provided with a resilient bushing 2!, and positioned in the latter is a projecting cylindricalportion22 of-the motor. This portion 22 is illustrated as being the end of the armature shaft but it; will be readily understood that a reduced diameter extension of the housing for the motor may be similarly supported if the armature shaft does not project beyond the. rear of the housing. The forward end of the motoriissupported by spaced brackets23, the outer ends of which are connected by screws 24 to an integral ring or spaced bosses.2.5:provided in the rear portion l3 of the shell. The upper. or. inner endsof the brackets 23 are connected, as by means of welding or the like, to anannular-tplate or. bushing 26 having a central opening therethrough within which is positioned aresilient bushingv substantially conforming with the shape of the housing of the motor. at this point.

The forwardend of..the.shaft.22 of the motor isprovided with anairl impeller or fan, generally designated 21. Thisimpeller orfan is provided with a plurality of substantially propeller-shafted portions or, b1ades.28, thesouter ends of which are connected by a ring portion 29 havingan upstanding cylindrical fiange-30. Preferably the bladeszfi, the ring 29 and the flange it are formed from a single. piece of sheet metal but these parts may. be-separately. formed and united by welding or similar meansto provide an integral unit. Attached at spaced points tothe outer periphery of the cylindricalportion 33 of the air impeller are radially extending blower portions or blades 31, the. lower ends of whichare shown as providedzwith-flangeswhich are-attached by welding orthe like to the cylindrical portion 33.: The construction-of theair impeller is such that when thamotor is driven in a clockwise direction, as. viewed inthe drawings, the blades 28 of the fanwilltend to produce an axial flow of the air from--the front of the drier to the rear thereof while the blades 3! will impart'a radial and circular motion-to the air adjacent the inner surface of the shell or housing of the drier;

The rear portion i3 -of--the'outer shell of the drier is provided with another internal flangeor spaced bosses-32 towhichis'connected a tubular member or cylindricalsleeve 33, extending coaxially-with respect to the motor l9- and having adiameter intermediate the diameters of the blades 28 and of'theflange 30 of the air impeller '21. Positioned within this tubular member or sleeve 33"is-a cylindrical damper orshutter 34, which is preferably formed-of relatively thinsheet metal. This shutter or damper has a sliding I fit within the member -or sleeve 33 andis movable from a position-in which its outer edge is closely adjacent-the ring portion 29 of the air impeller, as-shown in Figs. land 6, tea position in which-its-outer-edge is closely adjacent the outer edge of the sleeve 33; as shown in Figs; and-7.

Movement of the shutter or damper 3 iis effected by means of a manually-operable'rod 35 which extends through a boss'36at the rear of the portion l3 of thehead-or shell-l0; the rod'being provided at its outer end with its knob or handle 31 by which it may be grasped and operated. The portion of" the rod within; the shell or housing is operatively connected with the shutter or damper 34 by welding or securing the rod to-a polygonally shaped bracing member 38, see Fig. 3, the corners of which engage the inner surface of the shutter or damper 34 and are secured thereto. This bracing member reenforces the damper and enables the latter to be easily moved longitudinally within the sleeve 33 by means otthe single actuating rod 35, the damper being movable to either extreme position thereof or toanyintermediate position that may be desired for a purpose hereinafter described.

Adjacent the, rear edges: of: the radial blades 3| of-the fanor impellerZl; the portion !3 of the:

housing or shell 10 .is providedwith an integral; flange or spaced bosses 3i'l'to whichan annular; member 43 is attached by means .,of:screws or the: like M. This member 43; has aninwardly. directing portion substantially conformingwith the;

rear edges of the blades 31 but spaced therefrom;

this portion of the member then-merging. with;

asubstantially cylindrical portion 43 which;.ex-.-

tends concentrically with respect. to the-sleeve 33 and damper 3t butspaced outwardlytherefrom. The inner surface ofthis. cylindrical ,portion- 43?;of

th member 4ilgis. providedwitha plurality of;

spaced mounting means or. 11133144 which are; bolted or otherwise. attached to thecylindrical portion of the member. These lugs-or mounting. means are provided with transversely. extending openingszthrough which. extends; an electrical heating element 45; the lugs or mounting-means:

i ibeing either formed of insulating. material or; provided-with insulated inserts so that the heating means 45: is insulated-from the member 40.

The frontporton I2. offthe housingor shell, l0: has its forward edge curved inwardly slightly as indicated at 46ito providje a-suitable opening into which the head H of: anindividual maybe inserted to dispose th hairthereof within the confines of. the drier, the. .curved..por.tion 46. also serving. to.

direct air about the; hair, as hereinafter described. Concentrically positioned withinthe front por-- tion 52 ofthe outershell isaconduitor inner shell portion 41 substantially: cylindrical in .configuration'and havingaidiameter, sufficient to receive the head. of. an individual, as indicated in Fig. 1. M is less than that-of .the outer shell portion l2 thus providing an annular. air passage therebetween. The forward edge of the conduit is spaced inwardly fromtheedgeof theforwardv portion 46- of the outer shell; the latter being so shaped as to direct air flowing past the outeredge of the conduit into the interior thereof.

This conduit: or inner shellsportion ll is supported within theouter sl'ielltby a: plurality of circumferentially spaced; longitudinally, extending. membersor'vanes 48;. These membersror vanes, have lower flange portions 49,. which. are welded, or similarly secured, tothe outer iperipheryrof the conduit orinner shell .41, and side portions 50 extending angularlyoutwardly from the exterior.- surface of the conduit 41 and into engagement with the interior. of the outershell portion [2.

The outer edges of the vvanes 48. are shaped to.

substantially. conform with the interior. curved surfaceof the outer .shellthus securely retaining, the conduit or innershell, in,.its proper position by the frictional engagementbetween the outer edges of the vanes and the portion l2"of the outer shell. However, the outer edges of the vanes 48 The diameter of theconduit or inner shell may be welded or otherwise secured to the outer shell if desired. As will be seen in Fig. 2, these members or vanes extend in a generally counterclockwise direction for a purpose hereinafter described.

The upper portion of the conduit or inner shell 41 is provided with a, plurality of circumferentially spaced openings and 52 to permit air to flow therethrough over the back of the individuals head, the openings being located so that the air enters the interior of the conduit 41 at approximately the mid point of the individuals head positioned therein. The openings 5|, adjacent the top of the conduit, are substantially triangular and in the present embodiment three such openings are provided. The openings 52, further around the conduit, are substantially trapezoidal in shape and two such openings are employed in the present construction. These openings are each disposed beneath one of the vanes 48 with one side of each opening closely adjacent the point of connection of the corresponding vane to the conduit 4'1, the configurations and disposition of the openings and vanes being clearly indicated in Fig. 8 of the drawings which is a developed view of the conduit or inner shell 41 looking from the center line thereof outwardly and with the forward edge of the conduit disposed at the top of the figure. As will be seen from Figs. 1 and 8, the axial lengths of the vanes 48 vary, the longest vanes being adjacent the openings at the left side of the drier, as viewed from the front, and the shortest vanes being at the bottom of the drier.

The construction is such that the air, which is circulated by the radial blades 3| of the impeller 21, is moving in a clockwise direction and forwardly within the annular space between the outer and inner shells, the clockwise movement of the air being prevented in the forward portion of the drier by the vanes 48 which tend to straighten the flow of the air and direct a portion thereof through the openings 5| and 52 into the interior of the conduit 41. The remainder of this air passes forwardly of the drier and is directed by the inwardly curved outer edge 46 of the outer shell to how backwardly over the head of the individual from points adjacent the hairline. Since, as previously mentioned, the air tends to circulate clockwise about the conduit 41, except as prevented by the vanes 48, a greater proportion of the air would be directed through the openings 5| and 52 at the right side of the drier as, viewed from the front, than at the left side thereof if the vanes were all of the some length. By proportioning the vanes and openings substantially as shown, a substantially uniform distribution of airflow may be secured.

To further assist the flow of air through the openings 5|, circumferentially extending vanes 53 are provided adjacent the forward edges of the openings 5|. These vanes 53 have lower flange portions 54, welded or otherwise connected to the outer periphery of the conduit 41 adjacent the openings 5|, and inclined side portions extending upwardly and rearwardly with their outer edges conforming in shape with and engaging the interior surface of the outer shell of the drier. The edges of the side portions of these vanes 53, at their point of contact with the corresponding vanes 48, are provided with flange portions 55 which are welded or otherwise secured to the vanes 48 as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 8. Therefore, a substantial portion of the air moving forwardly between the upper vanes 48 is deflected by the vanes 53 into the openings 5|. However, the vanes 53 do not completely obstruct the forward flow of air at this point of the drier since the circumferential extent of the vanes 53 is only approximately one-half the distance between adjacent vanes 48.

The conduit or inner shell portion 41 has an inwardly directed annular shoulder 56 from which a substantially cylindrical sleeve-like portion 58 extends rearwardly as shown in Figs. 1, 5, 6 and 7. The diameter of this rearwardly extending sleeve portion 58 is intermediate the diameter of the propeller blades 28 and the diameter of the portion 38 of the air impeller, with the outer edge of the sleeve 58 extending adjacent to but slightly spaced from the annular portion 29 of the impeller. As shown in Figs. 1, 5, 6 and '7, this construction allows a portion of the propeller blades 28 to extend within the sleeve portion 58 of the conduit or inner shell member 41 While the outer or radial blades 3| of the impeller are disposed exteriorly of this sleeve portion. Hence, the efiects of the blade portions 28 and 3| are substantially restricted to the interior and exterior, respectively, of the conduit. Extending across the central opening in the sleeve portion 58 of the conduit 41 is a foraminous material 59 such as wire mesh or the like, which is secured to the shoulder 58 by suitable means such as a ring member 88. If desired, the ring member 88 may include a grill portion extending over the mesh material 58 to provide support for the latter intermediate its edges. This mesh material prevents the hair of the individual from bemg drawn into the rear portion of the drier where it would become entangled with the air impeller.

The rear portion l3 of the drier shell is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 6| and 82 providing air vents. It will, be observed that the openings 6| are positioned within the confines of the tubular or cylindrical member 33 and hence communicate with the interior of the conduit 41, thus providing air exhausting vents for the drier. The openings 82 are positioned outside of the tubular member 33 and communicating with the space between the outer shell and the conduit, thus forming air intake openings for the drier. The openings are preferably covered by material such as wire mesh or the like 83 and 64, respectively. This material may be applied only over the openings 8| and 62 per se or, if desired, may extend in parallel bands about the entire circumference of the drier, suitable recesses being then provided in the outer surface of the shell, intermediate the openings, to retain such bands in position.

Electrical cables, not shown, extend through suitable openings in the rear portion I3 of the outer shell or housing for connection with the motor l9 and the heat element 45 and suitable switches and controls of conventional type may be inserted in such cables at convenient points to control the operation of the motor and the heater respectively.

When it is desired to quickly dry the hair of an individual after shampooing or the like, the drier is positioned about the individuals head H in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The motor I9 is then placed in operation and current is supplied to the heating means 45. The handle or knob 31 of the rod 35 is moved inwardly of the shell to its extreme inner position thus moving the inner edge of the shutter or damper 34 to its position as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. There is thus provided a substantially closed passageway from answer the cylindrical sleeve. portiona 58.: oil thee cone duit dl' through the. shutter: or! damper 3411; the rear of: the housing. Sincethe motor l9: rotates theimpeller: 21 in a clockwise direction; vaasuction or partial vacuum .wilLbe created) imfrnnt: of; the propeller-type blades 28 thus drawing: air from the interior: of the conduit: 41!: and: hence: from about" the head of: the individual, .the: maj orrportion: of." the air exhausting. through. the. openings Gil at Lthe;rearrof the housing;

Since the individualsiheadisuhstantiallyrcloses the opening at the: frontof: the: drier; only aesmall amount of: air will bedrawn inwardly adjacent the curved .edge 46 of'the outer shellof the-drier; Thezmajority of the air; toireplace that which is exhausted from the' interior: ofthezcondirit-AT; enters'the drier throughtheropeningscfi at: the rear of theouter shell 'andipasses over: the heating element; 45: thereby: increasing. its: dehydrating efiect; This air then passesl'through" the rradial blades 3 l; of: the a impeller which: imparts a; radial andLcircular motionto the-fair;v causing'iti-to move forwardly through the annular. space between the conduit or inner shell 41 and the forwardiportion [2' of the outer shell; This circulatingair strikes'the' side portions-idiot the: vanes or derfi'ector members .48. which tend to; straightenthe flow of the" air and direct a: portion thereof through the openingss'lamd'i52, the vanes 53 :aid inginthis latter'dir'ectingi oil the air; The air entering the openings: 5:l1andf5'l: strikes the hair atv substantially the midpoint: thereof and"; as indicated .by the arrows 'inEigefi, willib'eeirculated thereabout and exhaustedrat .the-srear of the drier by means of the. propeller-shaped ablades 28 The-remainderof the ain'flowingthrough the stationary vanes or members 48', which does not enter the-openings 51 and 52;..is1 directedfby-the curved forward; edge: Ali; ofxthes drier so as to'- flow baclzwardlyover thei-individuals head -floured jacent: the hairlinethereof, and; after; circulating about: the hair, will likewisebexexhaustedibythe impeller 27fthroughrztheopeningsi Bl: Only a small part of the: air: circulating-'3 rearwardly through the. conduit passes through :theirelatively small. space betweenithe: sleeve .zporti'onflfiili' of? the conduit 41 and'the; forwardly: positioned .shutter 34' to re-enter the annular space between the members Gl and l2::for:recirculationv. Hence;.a large volume of. fresh, relatively warm dry: air is: continuously supplied to the hair." which; is thereforerapidly drieds Whenxrelatively' slow dryingv is desired iQlS; .for example; after: the hairhasbeen sct,.the':han;dle or knob: 1 37 is pulled: outwardly: withv respect 1 to the drier head or shell thus causing the-rod;:35 to: move the. shutter; or damper r34 fromitherposition shown in Figs. .1. and 6. to its; extreme; open position asv indicated: in Figsrfii' and '71.. When the" motor I?! is now placed inn operation; the propeller-shaped blades 28:offthe impellierrZ] again create a partial vacuum or -suctionvwithin the. interior of the: 'conduitzor'innerishell.247:, thus causing air to how into the interiorofi theecone duit through the openings til, 52: andcifrornl the forward. portion at Of'lthfi outershell as; indicated bythe arrows in Fig. '71 A'major portion, of: the air: exhaustediby the propellr-shaped-sblade:por tionsof the'impellerrzis now, however; recirculated throughthe drier by passing" throughthe rela+ tively large opening-between;the.:rear edge.- of the sleeve portion fifiiofith'e conduitLan'd theforward edge of the shutter or; damper 34, only a relatively small i portion: 011 the; vbeing: ex; hausted through the openings '61 i at; thecrear: of

8: the housing between the shutter or damper and thecylinedrieal I portion: of: the? conduit. is caused in part by: the positiveaction of the propeller-shaped blades 28 and by the action of the radial blades 3-1 but is: alsoassistedibythe-pressure: gradient created by the relatively high velocityv flow: of air. within the annular spacebetween the. conduit and outer: shell. When the apparatus. is: so

operated, the heating means it maybe-regulatedt0-- produce the; desiredv amount of? heatby suitable controls, not shown...

The rate of drying 'of" the hair: may; be closely,

controlled bypositioningthe damper 34' atany. desired.positionintermediate the two extremes just' described and/or by adjustment of the amountiof head. applied by the heating means 45; The adjustment of the damper or shutter Muthusenables. any desirable'portion of the air to:.-be:recirculated within the drier or su-bstam tially= the. entire flow of air may be exhausted exteriorly-of the drier Without recirculation, as previously described.

The: construction of the drier head in. two. separable portions l2 and I3 enables the drier. to be more. easily serviced since it is only necessary to release the securing means or latches 15 when it is desired to gain access to the motor, impeller, damper and heater; these elements being all-supported inthe rear portion l3 of the head independently of the conduit or inner shell. ll-andthe vanes t8 and 53. Hence, the moving parts of the mechanism can be easily andquickly. removed as a unit thus facilitating servicing since' these' parts are more easily accessible and itis. no longer necessary to remove. the entire drier from. the pedestal. Furthermore, a different rear portion l2 may be placed upon the drier in substitution for; the one removed sothatthe use of. the drier need not be interrupted for any appreciable. length of. time While the original mechanism is being serviced.

While a preferred embodiment of the hair drier ofthis inventionhas. been described in considerable. detail it will be appreciated that numerous modifications andvariations in the construction may be effected without departing from the spirit ofthe. invention, Thus the location and shapes oil? the openings.- 5], 52, and of the vanes Gil and 53 may be varied as desired, as may also the shape of the impeller blades and the mode of mounting. and operating the shutter or damper 31!. Other variations and adaptations ofv the invention will readily. suggest. themselves to one skilled in the art and therefore the invention is not to be considered. as limited. to the. exact details of construction and mode of operation herein illustrated and described butonly as required-thy the spirit and scope of v the. appended claims;

Havingthus. describedthe invention, I claim:

1;. In. a hair drier. 'of the; character described, aihousing havingiinner. and: outer shells defining substantially coaxialpassages, said housing having a..front openingadaptedto receive. a'portion ofiahead of hair to be treatedand said passages communicating adj acent said front opening and aiso.communicating;at a pointspacedzfrom said front opening soas to provide a path for circulat ing-ain within the housing. for contact'with'said hair; .the said Eouterr shell having spaced openings therethrough; air flow creating means including af-rotor having air impelling portions operable-to produce air. circulation'zinn the respective coaxial passages, and an; adjustable. flow controlling This fiowsoiairi. throughzthespace means intermediate said shells for controlling the second-mentioned communication between said passages, the said air flow controlling means including a portion for channeling the flow of air from at least one of the openings in the outer shell to one of said passages and the flow of air through the other of'said passages to a diii'erent one of said openings in the outer shell.

2. A hair drier as defined in claim 1, and further comprising a heating element in one of said passages for heating the air passing therethrough.

3. A hair drying apparatus of the character described comprising a conduit adapted to have its forward end positioned about the head of an individual, a shell surrounding the sides and rear end of said conduit in spaced relationship thereto, the said shell having spaced openings therethrough adjacent the rear end thereof, an air impeller positioned in said shell adjacent the rear end of the conduit and having portions to induce a flow of air through the latter, said air impeller having other portions to induce a flow of air in the space between said conduit and said shell, means to rotate said air impeller, means for deflecting a, portion of the air flowing in said space between said conduit and said shell into the interior of said conduit intermediate its ends, and means adjustable towards and away from the rear end of said conduit to regulate the flow of air between the latter and the space between said conduit and said shell and to channel the flow of air from certain of the openings in said shell to said space and from said conduit to others of said openings.

4. A hair drying apparatus of the type defined in claim 3 and further comprising a heating means mounted within said shell for heating the air flowing through the space between said conduit and said shell.

5. A hair drying apparatus of the character described comprising a conduit adapted to have its forward end positioned about the head of an individual, a shell surrounding the sides and rear end of said conduit in spaced relationship thereto, the said shell having openings at the rear thereof for admitting air to the space between said conduit and shell and for exhausting air from the interior of the conduit, an air impeller positioned in said shell adjacent the rear end of the conduit and having portions to induce a flow of air through the conduit from the front to the rear thereof, said air impeller having other portions to induce a flow of air forwardly through the space between said conduit and said shell, means to rotate said air impeller, means for deflecting a portion of the air flowing in said space between said conduit and said shell into the interior of said conduit intermediate its ends, the forward end of said shell extending beyond the forward end of said conduit and having a portion shaped to deflect the remainder of the air flowing between the conduit and shell into the forward end of said conduit, and hollow damper means having its interior communicating with at least one of the said openings in the rear of said shell, the said damper means including a movable sleeve portion for regulating the flow of air between the rear end of said conduit and the space between said conduit and said shell and for conducting air flowing through said conduit out of said shell.

6. A hair drying apparatus of the character described comprising a conduit adapted to have its forward end positioned about the head of an individual, a shell surrounding the sides and rear end of said conduit in spaced relationship thereto, the said shell having openings at the rear thereof for admitting air to the space between said conduit and shell and for exhausting air from the interior of the conduit, an air impeller positioned in said shell adjacent the rear end of said conduit and having portions to induce a flow of air through the conduit from the front to the rear thereoflsaid air impeller having other portions to induce a. flow of air forwardly through the space between said conduit and said shell, means to rotate said air impeller, stationary vanes between said shell and conduit for straightening the path of flow of air therebetween and for deflecting a portion of this air into the interior of said conduit through openings in the latter intermediate its ends, the forward end of said shell extendingbeyond the forward end of said conduit and having a portion for deflecting the remainder of the air flowing between the conduit and shell into the forward end of said conduit, and adjustable means to regulate the flow of air between the rear end of said conduit and the space between said conduit and said shell.

7. A hair drying apparatus of the type defined in claim 6 and further comprising a heating means mounted within said shell for heating the air flowing through the space between said conduit and said shell.

8. A hair drying apparatus of the character defined in claim 6 and in which said shell is formed by two separable portions with the said impeller, the said means to rotate the impeller and the said adjustable means supported in one portion and said conduit and said stationary vanes supported in the other portion of the shell; means for supporting the said other portion of the shell; and means to detachably secure said portions of the shell together; whereby the entire drying apparatus is supported by said supporting means and the impeller, rotating means and adjustable means may be readily removed as a unit without disturbing said supporting means and the remainder of the drying apparatus.

9. A hair drying apparatus of the character described comprising a conduit adapted to have its forward end positioned about the head of an individual, a shell surrounding the sides and rear end of said conduit in spaced relationship thereto, an air impeller positioned in said shell adjacent the rear'end of the conduit and having substantially propeller-shaped portions extending into said conduit to induce a flow of air there through, said air impeller having substantially radially extending portions connected to the ends of the propeller-shaped portions and extending extericriy of the conduit to induce a flow of air in the space between said conduit and said shell, means to rotate 'said air impeller, means for deflecting a portion of the air flowing in said space between said conduit and said shell into the interior of said conduit intermediate its ends, and an adjustable damper at the rear of said impeller and adapted to be positioned closely adjacent the rear of the latter intermediate the propellei shaped portions and the radial portions thereof to substantially prevent the flow of air between the rear end of said conduit and the space between said conduit and said shell, and to be spaced rearwardly of the impeller to permit flow of air between the rear end of said conduit and the space between said conduit and said shell.

10. A hair drying apparatus of the character described comprising a substantially tubular conduit adapted tohave=its forward end positioned about the head of an individual, a shellsurrounding the sidesand 'rearsend of :said conduit in spaced relationship thereto, the said shell'having openings at the rear'thereof'for admitting air to the'space between said conduit and shell andfor exhausting air'from the interior-of the conduit, a substantially tubular member spaced rearwardly ofsaid conduit and substantially coaxial therewith, the rear portion :of said tubular member being connected.totheinterior of said shell in a manner to surroundthe openings in the latter for-exhausting air fromsaidconduityan air'impeller positioned in'sai'd shell adjacent the rear end of the conduit and spaced forwardly of the forwardend of said tubular memben'said air impeller having portions to induce a flow of air through the conduit from the vfront to the rear thereof and having other portions to induce a flow of air forwardly through.thespace between said conduit and said shell, means to rotate said air impeller, a substantially'tubulardamper slidablysupported by said tubular member and movableto a position closely adjacent'the rear ofthe air impeller intermediate the first and second mentioned portions thereof'to substantially prevent the fiow of air between the rearend of said conduit and the-space between said conduit and said shell, and to be spaced rearwardly of the impeller to permit flow of air'between the rear end of said conduit andthe space between said conduit and said shell and means connected with said damper and extendingexteriorly of the shell for adjusting the position of-saiddamper.

11. A hair drying apparatus of the type defined in claim and' in whichthe forward end of saidshell extends beyond'xthe forward end of said conduitand has a portion shaped to deflect the air'iiowing between the conduit andshell into the forward end of said conduit.

12. A hair-drying apparatus of the-type defined in claim IO -and'further comprising means for deflecting a portion of the air'flowing in said space between said conduit and said shell into the interior of said conduit intermediate its ends, and the forward end 'of-said shell extends beyond the forward end of said conduit and has a portion'for defiecting'the remainder of'the'air flowing between'the conduit and shell into the forv ward end of said conduit.

13. A hair'drying-apparatus of the type defined in claim 10 and further comprising a heating 'means mounted within saidshellfforfheating'the air flowing through the'space between said conduit and said shell.

14. A hair drying apparatus of the'type defined in claim 10 and in which'the said tubular damper is sli'dably supported upon the'interior surface of said tubular member, and a polygonally shaped member is secured to the interior of said damper to reenforce the latter.

15. A hair drying apparatus of the character described comprisinga conduit adapted to have its forward end positioned about thehead of an individual, a two-part separable shell surrounding the sides and rear end of said conduit in spaced relationship thereto-with the said conduit supported in one part of the shell, an air impeller supported in-the otherpart of said shell adjacent the rear .endof the conduit, the'said impeller having portions to induce a-flow-of air through the conduit and other portions to induce-a flow'of air in the space between said conduitand the said one part of the shelLmeans supported in the said other part'of the shell an'd'connected-with said air impeller torotate the latter, meansin said one-part of the shell for deflecting a portion of the air flowing in said space between said conduit and said one part of the shell into the interior of said conduit intermediate the ends of latter, adjustable means supported in saidother part of said shell for regulating the flow of air between the rear end of said conduit and thesaid space between the conduit and shell,.means'for supporting said one part of saidshell, and means 15 to detachably secure the two parts of said shell together, whereby the-entire drying apparatus is supported by said supporting means, and the impeller, rotating'means andadjustable means-may be readily removed as a unit without disturbing .20 said supporting means and the remainder of the drying apparatus.

116. A hair drying apparatus of the character described comprisingua shell-like member adapted tohave its forward end positioned about the head of an individual, atwo-part separable housing surrounding the sides and rear of said member in spaced relationship with the said member sup- :ported in one part of said'housing and with the space between said member and housing in com- '30 munisatic-n with the interior of said member, an

airimpelling means supportedin the'other part of said'housing adjacent'the rear of said member for circulating air within said housing and memher, means for supporting said one part of said housing, and means to detachably secure the two parts of said housing together, whereby the entire drying apparatusis supported by said supporting means with the said other part of said housing and the air impelling means readily removable as a unit without disturbance of said supportin means or the remainder of the drying apparatus.

17. A hair drying apparatus as defined in claim '16 andfurther comprisingadjustable means for controlling the circulation of air within said housing, and means supporting the last-mentioned means in the said other part of said housing whereby the said adjustable means is removable with said airimpelling means'upon release of the said means for securing-together the two parts of "the housing.

18. A'hair drying apparatus as defined in claim 1'6 and further comprising a heating means mounted within said other part of said housing for heating air circulated by said air impelling means.

RALPH K. BOYER.

REFERENCES CITED e following references are of record in the oi this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 311 bei Name Date 1,765,379 McGinnis June 24, 1930 1,991,950 Martin Feb. 19, 1935 2,027,061 Olsen Jan. 7, 1936 2,073,401 Crowley Mar. 9, 1937 2,101,502 Keller Dec. 7, 1937 w 2,138,333 Martin Nov. 29, 1938 2,270,008 Miller 'Jan. 13, 1942 

